The number of falls among Hawai‘i’s kupuna is growing at an alarming rate, and impacting families and health care organizations. Annually in Hawai‘i, an average of 86 seniors die, 1,912 are hospitalized and 8,010 are treated in emergency rooms as a result of falls....

With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart. Earlier this year...

Dropless Cataract Surgery is a new option for cataract patients that reduces the need for eye drops after surgery. Traditionally, after patients undergo cataract surgery they must adhere to a strict three- to four-week schedule that includes several types of drops....

With Thanksgiving approaching, we are reminded to be appreciative of what we have; oftentimes, this leads to opening up our hearts (and wallets) to those in need. Unfortunately, there are those who would use dishonesty to profit from a giving heart. Earlier this year...

Synchronized swimming is alive and beautifully executed by Mermaids Hawai‘i, home-pooled at Windward YMCA in Kailua. Since 1971, they have been “teaching and performing water ballet for fascinated crowds.” It’s not a paid act — just teacher Alice Robert’s vision to...

You read the title of this column correctly. Many Medicare plans are launching reward and incentive plans. Points earned can be redeemed for prizes or gift cards. Incentives are awarded for healthy activities that result in positive health outcomes. You could earn...

Caregiving became a full-time responsibility for Lahaina resident Montella Lopez in her mother’s final years. In the six times her mother was discharged from the hospital, Lopez said she received little or no instruction on how to care for her mother at home. As...

Hundreds of families, including my own, go through the aging process. Historically, and particularly in Hawai‘i, our cultures require us to take care of our kupuna in our homes. However, in current times, adult children have very busy lives working full-time and...

If you’re like most people, you periodically set aside time to clean out your home, garage or closets. It’s equally important to organize your finances. This checklist can help you get started: Cancel unused credit cards: Don’t throw away money on annual fees for...

The 2015 season for the Na Koa Football Club started on Aug. 31 and will continue every Monday for 11 more lunches at the Willows Restaurant, starting at 11am. This season, the University of Hawai‘i Rainbow Warriors will play 12 straight games without a week off....

The one estate planning document that everyone 18 and older should have is an Advance Health-Care Directive. It is not the sexiest tool in the estate planning toolbox, but it can head off family strife, heartache, and needless attorney’s fees as no other document can....

Thirty-five years ago Japanese families in Hawai‘i saw the anthurium’s shiny hearts, bird of paradise’s crane neck, black berry ears of the “Mickey Mouse” plant and the mass of areca palms, fluttering in the wind. Inspired by the flowers and foliage of their new...

On a warm Friday morning in July, I spent some one-on-one time with my four-year old granddaughter at the Hawaii Children’s Discovery Center in Kaka‘ako. We’ve been going there for over two years and love visiting all three floors. During some visits, we just spend...

Sleep apnea is a breathing disorder with frequent awakenings and breathing disruptions of 10 seconds or longer, that occur when the patient’s airway becomes blocked. Sleep apnea lowers blood-oxygen levels, puts a strain on the heart, and is associated with high blood...

This year’s 9th Annual “Aging in Place Workshop” at the Ala Moana Hotel was the most successful that Generations Magazine and KHON2 Elderhood Project have ever hosted. Seventy-five exhibitors awaited the arrival of over 1,500 excited attendees. The workshop took place...

For Honolulu residents, assisted living and retirement communities used to mean moving away to a quiet suburb. They yearned for a simple life, free from home maintenance, chores, cooking and cleaning, but not seclusion — miles from their church, social clubs, stores,...

Pain affects more Americans than diabetes, heart disease and cancer combined. The American Academy of Pain Management estimates that more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Patients often explore multiple options for relief, but pain medication...

Social Security values and appreciates women. Men and women with identical earnings histories receive the same benefits, yet women should know about certain trends, differences in lifestyle and patterns of earnings that may affect their benefits. For example, some...

The Honolulu Police Department recently rolled out Smart911™, a free 9-1-1 service available to residents of O‘ahu. Registration is free at www.Smart911.com. Smart911 allows you to file information with 911 — about your disability, medications you take or how to gain...

With the end of the year just around the corner, you may want to review your financial situation. Make a list to ensure that you take full advantage of all available tax-saving deductions. Here are some ideas for year-end planning that can benefit you and help support...

Lately, I’ve had questions from beneficiaries of trusts asking “why did the decedent make the trust distribution a certain way?” The trust clearly identified who the beneficiaries were, and what they were to receive and how they were to receive it. Unfortunately the...

By the time you read this, I will have traveled to Oregon to visit my mother. I am lucky to have her in my life. I was one of the original baby boomers, born when my dad returned from WW II. During our visits, we drive to many of the places where I grew up. And we...

This issue is jammed with great information and articles about women. Starting on page 16, Martha Khlopin tells the story of three youthful senior ladies who won the 2015 Ms. Medicare pageant. She explores the “Nature of Youth”— the source of youthfulness at any age....

When Wendell Murakawa retired from the Hawai‘i Department of Public Safety, he planned to “you know, take it easy, relax, hang out with my friends, drink, eat and enjoy life.” Then his doctor told him he had type 2 diabetes. “I knew I was overweight and began to watch...

If diet can affect our chances of getting diabetes and heart disease, what about Alzheimer’s disease? Medical studies indicate that we may lower our risk of Alzheimer’s disease simply by getting better nutrition. During the course of this dementia, half of the brain...